25 Syrian soldiers killed in clashes in Damascus

At least 25 Syrian soldiers were killed and dozens of others wounded Wednesday in clashes with extremist groups in the east suburb of the capital Damascus, a monitoring group reported Thursday.

The soldiers were killed in intense battles with the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front and similar groups in the eastern suburb of Jobar, a main rebel stronghold, about 2 km from the eastern gate of ancient walled city of Damascus, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which relies on a network of activists on the ground.

The Observatory said the Syrian army fired three surface-to-surface missiles on Jobar. The air force also carried out four air raids on Jobar. There are not yet any reports of casualties from those raids.

The battle to recapture Jobar has a special significance, as the area lays on the eastern gate of the heavily fortified capital.

The rebels, who have been entrenched for years in that area, have repeatedly attempted to breach Damascus.

Militant groups have reportedly dug a series of tunnels, taking advantage of the underground sewage and drainage network to move between different parts of the areas they hold in the sprawling eastern al-Ghouta countryside.

Signifying the importance of the battles in Jobar, President Bashar al-Assad made a rare and surprising visit to the frontline in Jobar overnight.

Battles in Jobar have flared since early Wednesday, with sounds of shelling and gunfire rattling nearby areas.